Carry the Load To Pass Through Hopkins County Early May 29, 2021
Carry The Load, a nationwide relay that will end in Dallas, will be passing through Hopkins County this weekend in honor of Memorial Day. Any who would like to show their support are encouraged to bring flags to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Carry the Load was started in 2011 by Veteran U.S. Navy SEALs, Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley, as a way to honor and remember our nation’s heroes by connecting Americans to the sacrifices made by the military, veterans, first responders and their families, restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The first event was a 20-hour, 11-minute memorial march on Memorial Day in Dallas. In 2012, a National Relay launched, starting at West Point and continuing to Dallas. In 2016, a West Coast Route was added, spanning from Seattle to Dallas. The next year, 19 states and 50 city rallies were involved. In 2019, a Midwest Route spanned from Minneapolis to Dallas, covering 40 states. Last year, the Mountain State Route was added, covering 46 states and increasing to more than 70 rallies.
The National Relay routes travel across the country for 32 consecutive days covering over 15,500 miles with four different routes handing off the American flag from city to city to honor our nation’s heroes.
The East Coast Relay was expected to make it to Franklin County tonight (May 28, 2021), and wind it’s way through Hopkins County in the morning (May 29, 2021). Carry the Load is expected to start at Hopkins County Courthouse at 5 a.m., head out down Main Street to CMH Road, then continue on the Interstate 30 west frontage road. They are projected to be at the Phillips gas station in Cumby at 7 a.m. The relay will continue, expected to be at US 67 at CR 3201 in Campbell at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 29, wind along FM 499 in Greenville to Greenville Farmers Market on Bois D’Arc Street in Greenville at 2 p.m. and on to the I-30 frontage road in front of Gibson Automotive in Greenville by 4 p.m. Saturday.
During the first 10 years of Carry the Load, $28.6 million has been raised, with more than 100,000 participants participating from all 50 states, as well as 28 other countries. That’s enough funding for 93.14 percent of all funds toward 100 education programs which support awareness of those who sacrifice for us daily, funds to help non-profit partners provide healing services for these warriors, and to inspire patriotism in youth by educating them about the American flag and the sacrifices made to honor .it.
Como-Pickton CISD Trustees Named TREA School Board Of The Year
Superintendent Greg Bower Friday night announced that the Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees have earned the distinction of being named School Board of the Year by the Texas Rural Education Association.
TREA is a statewide organization founded to improve advocacy for rural schools at the State Board of the Year for the State of Texas.
“They represent more than 400 rural school districts across the state, and among those, they chose our school district’s board of trustees to represent the achievement and values indicative of such an honor. What’s even more of an honor, our board of trustees continue to push our district to excel in academics and extracurricular activities while maintaining zero I&S tax debt to the community. Over the last several years, Como-Pickton CISD has become synonymous with success, and these outstanding board members are one of the underlying factors for it,” Dr. Bower said.
TREA in the announcement of this year’s educator awards, noted that the district has been instrumental in supporting efforts to increase student achievement in many ways. Over the last several years, CPCISD has improved from an accountability standpoint, become more competitive in UIL and other extracurricular activities reinstated. TREA also cited CP’s fiscal health, as the district has not I&S bet and one of the lowest tax rates in the state.
Bower describes the district as a beacon and flagship for other school districts around CPCISD.
The school board includes Shiloh Childress, Cole Boseman, Jim Murray, DJ Carr, Brittney Smith, Clif Carpenter, (and JJ Cummings.
Congratulations to the CPCISD School board on receiving this honor and the many achievements which resulted in TREA selecting them as the School Board of the Year.
Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees includes (from left Shiloh Childress, Cole Boseman, Jim Murray, DJ Carr, Brittney Smith, Clif Carpenter, and (not pictured) JJ Cummings
Texas Transportation Commission Names Marc Williams as New TXDOT Executive Director
| AUSTIN – The Texas Transportation Commission today selected Marc Williams as the Texas Department of Transportation’s new executive director. Williams, who has served as the agency’s deputy executive since 2016, will begin his new role June 1, 2021. Williams has worked at TxDOT since 2012, when he joined the department as director of planning, serving in that role until 2015, when he was appointed TxDOT’s interim deputy director. Prior to joining TxDOT, Williams’ career has included leadership roles with a variety of public and private sector organizations involved with the planning, development and implementation of transportation infrastructure projects across the United States. “Marc Williams has proven himself a well-respected leader in transportation in both Texas and at the national level,” said J. Bruce Bugg Jr., Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. “Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face going forward and is an excellent person to lead the 12,000 women and men of TxDOT. TxDOT is in good hands.” “Leading this incredible department and serving the citizens of Texas is an honor,” Williams said. “I am looking forward to working side by side with the women and men of TxDOT, the Texas Transportation Commission and our transportation stakeholders as TxDOT continues its important mission of Connecting You with Texas.” Williams is a graduate of Texas A&M University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas. Williams is the 22nd executive director for the department. For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700. |
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4 Arrested Following Church Street Traffic Stop
Over 4 Pounds Of Marijuana Found During I-30 Traffic Stop
Four people were arrested on possession charges during a Church Street traffic stop Wednesday afternoon and a Sulphur Springs man was jailed after deputies found more than 4 pounds of marijuana during an Interstate 30 traffic stop west of Sulphur Springs early Thursday morning.
Church Street Traffic Stop
Lilly Marie Crow 
Michael Alan Dyer 
Quentin Marcel White
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson stopped a white Chrysler 300 around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2021, for failing to stop at the stop sign before turning south on Church Street at Houston Street.
The car was driven into a parking lot in the 300 block of Church Street. The driver admitted she didn’t have a valid Texas driver’s license but claimed she did have a California license. When asked, Lilly Marie Crow told the deputy, who recognized her as someone who had been associated with narcotics use, that the only police record she had was for traffic offense. Believing her to be deceptive based on the prior information, the deputy asked but was refused permission to search the car.
HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney arrived to assist, and the four in the car were instructed to get out while they waited for a deputy to arrive with a police canine. As they did, Chaney noticed a pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine in plain view next to the front passenger seat. The 20-year-old Edgewood woman, a 22-year-old Emory man, a 46-year-old Emory man and an 18-year-old Point man were placed into handcuffs while the deputies conducted a probable cause search of the car.
Deputies found a small bag of suspected methamphetamine was found in the cupholder. Chaney discovered additional suspected meth and drug paraphernalia on one of the men who’d occupied the back seat of the Chrysler. Neither driver nor passenger claimed the suspected contraband found in the front of the car. All four were placed into custody and transported by deputy Chaney to jail. The suspected contraband seized for further investigation and the car was impounded.
The substance found in the cupholder tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.542 gram, including packaging, while the suspected meth found on the back seat passenger also tested positive for meth and weighed 0.258 gram, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. Crow and two passengers, 22-year-old Quentin Marcel White of Emory and 18-year-old Michael Alan Dyer of Point were all arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The third passenger, a 46-year-old Emory man, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies allege the stop to have been within 1,000 feet of a a preschool, resulting in a drug-free zone enhancement on the controlled substance charges.
Crow and the 46-year-old Emory man were released from Hopkins County jail — Crow on Friday, May 28, 2021, on a $25,000 bond on the possession of less than Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug free zone charge and the older Emory man on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Dyer and White remained in jail Friday afternoon, May 28, 2021, Dyer in lieu of a $10,000 bond and White in lieu of a $25,000 bond, according to jail reports. The 46-year-old Emory man were released from jail on the paraphernalia charge on Thursday, May 27, 2021.
I-30 East Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Patterson stopped an eastbound black Ford Fusion around 6:50 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at mile marker 119 on I-30 east for traveling 80 miles per hour in a 75 mile per hour speed zone. As he approached the car, Patterson reported smelling an odor of unburned marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed 4.4 pounds of marijuana in a duffle bag in the car’s trunk, Patterson alleged in arrest reports.
The driver, 18-year-old Milique Fredrick Zirretta, allegedly confirmed the weight of the marijuana and admitted he was aware of its presence in the car. Consequently, the Sulphur Springs teen was taken into custody on the felony possession of 4 ounces, but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge.
Zirretta was released from Hopkins County jail on Friday, May 28, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
PJC Offering Free Coding Camp in Six Locations Over Summer
Paris Junior College has holding a special coding camp made possible by the Texas Workforce Commission at six locations during June, July and August.
Applications must be received by the PJC Continuing Education Department on Tuesday, June 1.
The college will be closed on Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day.
The free Coding Camp is for students entering the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades, or those who have completed eighth grade in the 2020-21 school year.
The camp will provide hands-on experiences to foster an interest in computer coding and programming.
Campers will be presented challenging and innovative concepts in learning, problem solving and analytical skills.
Enrollment is limited and priority is given to foster youth, students with disabilities, students from low income families, and students from populations underserved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
PJC received a $49,567 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to provide curriculum to bring computer science science to life and teach real industry competency.
The six camps will accept 90 students who will become familiar with the basics of Arduino, Blockly, C++ and Python coding, Cyber Security, Raspberry Pi, drone systems, robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering and programming in a team-based environment.
“The growing demand for high-skilled technical workers means Texas must continue to attract more students into STEM fields,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Through programs like Camp Code, TWC remains committed to building a diverse workforce with the foundation in STEM necessary to keep our world class economy growing.”
Each camp will be held Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Students may be dropped off at 7:45 A.M. and picked up by 4:45 P.M. Transportation assistance is available upon request.
Camp dates and locations are:
- June 21-25, 2021
- PJC – Sulphur Springs Center
- June 28-July 2
- Cooper ISD
- July 12-16
- Paris Junior College, Paris campus
- July 19-23
- PJC – Greenville Center
- July 26-30
- Clarksville ISD Youth Connection
- August 2-6
- Quinlan ISD
To apply, a parent or guardian and the student must complete the application form and a parent or guardian must complete the Permission, Medical & Media Release Form. The forms are at https://www.parisjc.edu/downloads/Coding-Camp-App.pdf. Both must be returned by the deadline of June 1, 2021.
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance; parents or guardians will be notified if their child has been selected. For questions or additional information, please contact 903-782-0447.
The application may be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 903-782-0443, or dropped off at the PJC Continuing Education Department in Paris or at the PJC-Greenville or PJC-Sulphur Springs by the June 1 deadline.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically.
For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
Grays Building Dedication Hosted Friday Morning, Official Ribbon Cutting Planned This Summer
Community members got their first good look into the new HW Grays Building in Pacific Park during a dedication in which a plaque inside the building was revealed.
“This is a project that we are really excited about. The [City] Council and I have been talking about this for a long time and anticipating this. We are so excited to see this beautiful structure come together,” said Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers at the May 28, 2021 event.
Sellers recalls HW Grays, for whom the building is named, to be a “kind wonderful man.” He said his first encounter with Grays was through involvement with the 4-H program. He noted it’s nice to being able to again name a community building such as “this beautiful structure” after Grays.
While there’s still some finishing work to be done – the roll up bay doors that open into the park have yet to arrive and be installed, and restroom fixtures and facilities, and kitchen counters and equipment yet to be installed. City officials and project managers said they are planning for a formal ribbon cutting on or around June 19, in time for the annual Juneteenth events held annually in Pacific Park.
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that a painting of Grays is expected to be placed in in the building before the officials ribbon cutting ceremony this summer.
The plaque notes the H.W. Grays Building to be a property of the city of Sulphur Springs, lists May 28, 2021 as the date of dedication, the mayor and city council members, city manager and secretary, architect, and offers special thanks to the chief building official, public works director, city electrician and facilities management supervisor for their contributions to the project. City staff have poured part of the concrete walk nearest the road, with more to be completed around the grounds later.
“We don’t have nothing on this side of this caliber so this is probably the most extensive city structure on this side,” said Bridgette Cooper, who founded and has as president of the non-profit East End Allegiance: Our Youth, an organization created to empower youth to be self-sufficient and confident in their being through education, enrichment activities, training, and mentorship, and along with other community members, advocated for improvements to unsafe playground equipment and the Grays building in Pacific Park in the fall of 2018.
The next phase of the park improvement will be renovation of the actual grounds themselves, which a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant will help fund. Plans are being finalized for park renovations. The first phase of the park improvement project was funded with bond funds authorized by tax payers, which will also pay for construction of a new senior citizens activity center and will be repaid using EDC funding.
Required SSISD Physicals for Athletes and Band Members Offered Free on June 1
All Sulphur Springs High School and Middle School athletes and band members must get a physical in order to participate during next school year.
The Sulphur Springs ISD is offering free physicals on Tuesday, June 1 at the High School Gym from 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Students must bring a completed and signed medical history or a parent.
Again required physicals for athletes and band members offered free on Tuesday, June 1 from 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the High School Gym.
Plano Man Arrested For Being Intoxicated In Court Hearing
A 35-year-old Plano man was arrested after allegedly being intoxicated in court, according to police reports.
The man was slated to appear in the the Hopkins County Court-At-Law at the 9 a.m. court session for a pretrial hearing on an Aug. 3, 2020, driving while intoxicated charge. However, the man appeared intoxicated when he arrived in the county courtroom for the hearing. He “was assumed to have driven to court intoxicated,” police noted in arrest reports.
The county court-at-law judge reportedly spoke with the man at 9:50 p.m., advised him his bond was revoked for DWI because of his level of intoxication and had him taken into custody at 10:19 a.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021. The 35-year-old Plano man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 11 a.m. for bond revocation on the DWI charge and for public intoxication.
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton on Summer Camp, Middle School Soccer and The Edge for Soccer
Just before the end of the school year for SSHS teachers, Wildcats Soccer Coach and Teacher Alexi Upton wanted an opportunity to give an early plug for his SSISD Summer Soccer Camp coming up July 26-29 in the evening at the Multi-Purpose Building.
The camp is designed for boys and girls entering kindergarten through the 9th grade. Coach Upton said the kids get touches on the ball and learn passing, shooting and scoring while having fun.
He said instructors would include current coaches, former Wildcats and Lady Cats players and some former coaches. Cost is $50. Forms and info are available at the SSISD website. Campers can also get enrolled by showing up early the day of camp.
There will also be The Edge for Wildcats and Lady Cats’ athletes coming up this summer. The Edge runs for 6 weeks Mondays through Thursdays beginning June 7 and running through July 15.
It will be taking place for both groups from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Edge is designed for athletes entering 9th through the 12th grades.
The Edge is a strength and conditioning program that also has time daily for sports-specific skills work.
Coach Upton noted that he just got finished with some Middle School Soccer competitions. Sulphur Springs’ teams played squads from Longview, Pine Tree and Mount Pleasant. He said there was supposed to be a Middle School Tournament but it got rained out. Coach Upton said the Middle Schoolers faced some good competition.
He said camp and Middle School Soccer give him a chance to see some good kids coming his way in the future. Coach Upton, coming into his 4thyear as Head Wildcats Soccer Coach, said he has seen quite an increase in his number of soccer athletes adding he expects to have 70 to 75 on his Varsity and JV Teams next season.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Saltillo Seniors Awarded More Than $101,000 In Scholarships
Employee Of The Year, Athletic And Academic Standouts Also Recognized by Saltillo ISD
Saltillo seniors were awarded more than $101,000 in scholarships during this week’s awards program in the school gym. That’s 15 of the 18 students in the Saltillo High School Senior Class of 2021 receiving scholarships. In addition to scholarships, students earning academic and athletic honors this year, and the Saltillo ISD Employee of the Year also were recognized during the awards program held Tuesday evening, May 25, in the school gym.
The largest single scholarship announced Tuesday was a $52,000 Merit Scholarship awarded to 2021 SHS salutatorian Garrett Tarver by Oklahoma University.
The next largest amount was a $32,000 Mary Bonham Educational Trust awarded to Brittney Peeples to help her fulfill her goal of attaining a college education.
Bianca Castro was awarded a $5,000 scholarship given by former teacher Barbra Conley Norris.
An Eagle Award Scholarship of $6,000 per semester was presented to Ally Smith.
Chandler Bain and Anna Reeder each received a $2,850 Finis and Onree Attlesey and Garland and Sweet Gamblin scholarship.
A Blue and Gold Freshman Tier 1 Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 was awarded to Kristina Wade.
Levi Rippy was awarded a $1,000 City National Bank Scholarship.
Receiving a $250 PTO/Booster Club Scholarship were Ofelia Cabrera, Chandler Bain, Kristina Wade, Christian Boekhorst, Anna Reeder, Brittney Peeples, Garrett Tarver, Bianca Castro, Josey Bench, Maddy Smith and Ally Smith.
Receiving $200 FCCLA Scholarships were Kristina Wade, Garrett Tarver, Maddy Smith, Bianca Castro, Paisley Kastner, Anna Reeder and Brittney Peeples.
Northeast Texas Community College awarded a $200 Texas Counselor and Principal’s Scholarship to Paisley Kastner.
The Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge presented Mirabeau B. Lamar Awards to Daniel Gonzales, Paisley Kastner and Ally Smith.
Senator Bob Hall sent certificates congratulating each senior on their achievements.
Tim Lane was presented with the Saltillo ISD Employee of the Year Award. He noted that there are a whole bunch of employees at the school who are as deserving of recognition.
Also recognized at the awards program were cross country, basketball, softball and baseball teams’ and individuals’ achievements, FCCLA and Beta winners and competitors, UIL participants and competitors, student who had perfect attendance, who made the A and AB Honor Rolls.
The FCCLA students typically as one of their projects bake cookies for Lake Country CASA to use as a fundraiser. Although there was no Cookie Walk in 2020, the FCCLA members insisted on fundraising to help CASA. Working together the students raised $1,500 to donate to CASA, Chapter Advisor Johnna West noted.
They also participated in the state contest virtually this year. Some participated in new tests this year, studying the material only to learn like half the material was not on the test.
Also, Saltillo FCCLA members typically fund raise selling chocolates and coffee. This year, because of how hands on that was, the students revised their plans, offering popcorn and Pot Tarts to raise funds for scholarships. Students can apply for funding. There are seven students who will be able to apply for the $200 award, by turning in a receipt upon completion of their first semester of post-secondary education.
Saltillo students also competed in February in virtual Beta competitions, which was a little bit more difficult with all competing in a number of different areas. There were many creative students in the group, and seven are advancing to the national contest to be hosted in Orlando in June.
Saltillo ISD students did well in academic UIL competitions at the district level. Two students advanced past the regional contest to state.
Anna Reeder and Garrett Tarver were recognized as the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Saltillo High School Senior Class of 2021. They, along with the 16 other Saltillo seniors will be honored during a commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2021, in the gym.
